All eleven walkers met at the Broom Hill Car Park near Christchurch to set off together on a forest walk to Yat Rock. We made our way to the forest tack which weaved its way through the beautiful Forest of Dean. After 1¼ miles of fairly flat but muddy walking we passed Mailscot Lodge and then dropped steeply downhill. Some of us commented on the seat at the top of the slope which we all agreed was there to rest when walking the other way. Also there was a warning sign advising mobility scooters not to travel down the hill! Continuing on the path we made our way over the access road into the car park and continued on to Yat Rock. Here it started to rain as we admired the views over the Wye Valley from the rock. We then crossed over the road by the pedestrian bridge and made our way to another view point over looking Symonds Yat. Here we had a coffee break at some picnic tables near the café and then made our way to the car park and the toilets. Here six of us decided to walk back on a more strenuous route. So we split up with the group on the easier route who made their way back by walking up the car park access road to the path we walked in on. From here we made our way back to the Broom Hill Car Park by retracing our steps our walk which included taking an obligatory rest at the seat top of the steep hill. The more strenuous route left the car park by the exit road to join the main path. Soon we branched off to the right and walked through the heart of the forest crossing over several streams and walking through some very muddy areas. The final sting in the tail was a very steep hill back up to the Broom Hill Car Park. At the top and with impeccable timing we met the remainder of the group who had walked back the less strenuous way. So we re-joined together to walk the few metres back to the car park. A memorable walk and a fitting end to our weekend away.   

On a dull but unseasonal warm day with temperatures close to 18 degrees six of us set off from the Old Court Hotel. We walked through Sterrets Caravan Park to the River Wye. Here we took the riverside path towards the Olde Ferrie Inn. The path resembled a bog with the river having recently flooded. However we took our time to plot the best way through and eventually made it to the Inn. Climbing the steep slope up the Inns access road we turned left to walk on Ferrie Lane through the village. On reaching the pedestrian ferry access we checked that the ferry was not running. We found the jetty flooded confirming that there would be no ferry ride. We continued on, soon leaving the village behind and passing the site of an old Iron Works – Continuing beside the river we walked through woods with Wild Garlic and Blue Bells flowering. The walk continued by the river until we reached the Biblins Adventure Centre and the rope (wire) bridge over the river. Here we stopped for lunch sheltering from a brief rain shower under a handy shelter. With the ferry not operating we returned the way we had come but as is usual with linear walks the walk back gave us a completely different aspect to the walk seeing things we had not seen on the way. On reaching the Olde Ferrie Inn on the way back we decided to walk back via Ashes Lane which rose above the village and gave us some lovely views. The final sting in the tail was the steep slope downhill back to the hotel. We all agreed it had been a lovely walk.

Five of us set of from The Old Court Hotel to almost immediately climb up a very steep hill on our way to Kings Arthurs Cave. Being a very warm day, by the time we had climbed 100 metres we were stripping off having got overheated. Soon the gradient eased and although we were still climbing we became less heated as we walked on numerous muddy footpaths and tracks. After about a mile the route levelled off and we walked along pleasant country lanes with numerous wild flowers in the verges. Now we started to loose height and we entered into White Rocks Nature Reserve passing the campsite shop on the way offering ice creams for sale. Surprisingly no one was tempted. We then dropped down to King Arthurs Cave where we took a short break. The cave is known for its history much of which is myth with King Arthur being almost everywhere. After our short break we began climbing again following the path up to the Doward Hill Fort. The walk took us through woods carpeted with Wood Anemones and Blue Bells. On entering the fort we walked around the clear earthworks to a trig point and a perfect view point. From here we could see the whole of the centre of the fort which was covered with yellow Primroses. We then walked around the edge of the fort to a rocky ledge which formed part of the defences. Here we stopped at some convenient rocks for a coffee stop which was cut short because it was a very windy spot and being caught in a sharp rain shower. The path left the fort and we retraced our steps downhill back to the cave. Bearing right we took a path which followed the edge of the Wye Valley giving us glimpses of the river many feet below us. The path traversed up some scrambles and through some very muddy areas until we walked out onto the top of the Seven Sisters Rocks with amazing views of the Wye Valley. Returning to the main path we continued on until we joined a major forest track which led us downhill to the Biblins Adventure Centre. We then made our way past the Biblins Rope (wire) Bridge and on to some picnic tables where we stopped for our lunch. After lunch we returned to the bridge which we had planned to cross and walk to the pedestrian ferry in Symonds Yat (East). However the ferry was not operating because the river was very high and running too quickly. So we took a few photos and took the path back to Symonds Yat on the west side of the river. After a very pleasant stroll we arrived at the pedestrian ferry jetty which was under at least 3ft of water. We then resumed our walk which took us through the village on Ferrie Lane to the Olde Ferrie Inn. Dropping down into the Inn we took advantage of the hospitality and had a very pleasant drink beside the river. After our break we then took the riverside path from the Inn. This turned out to be the wettest section of the walk with the river having recently flooded the path. After a difficult ½ mile we arrived at Sterrets Caravan Park where we washed our boots of in a convenient puddle and walked on the footpath through the site back to the hotel and the end if the walk. We all agreed that we had a fantastic varied day.  

On a typical British Easter Day, which started off bright, became increasingly blowy and grey skies above, 8 members gathered at Brampton Woods Nature Reserve Car Park on the outskirts of Graftham to start our walk. Brampton Woods is the second largest woodland area in Cambridgeshire, spanning 132 acres and is at least 900 years old.  Due to the recent heavy rains, we kept to the main rides, as a lot of the permissive footpaths were closed.  Due to this we were unable to view the bluebells at the east end of the reserve, however a few bluebells were spotted in the West Wood that we passed by later in the walk, these were just beginning to show their vivid blue . Coming out of the woods on the North side, we turned left onto the bridleway, noticing, wild primroses, stitchwort, a wild pear tree and a Witches Elm tree. Crossing Graftham Road we joined the Three Shires Way, passing Old Manor Caravan Park on our left.  This section was again very muddy, lots of standing water, we had to splash across. Turning off the Three Shires Way, we stopped for a quick coffee and Easter Chocolate Cake break (thanks to one of our members) on the beach of the Fisherman's Car Park area on Graftham Water, where we were luckily enough to see, one of the anglers pull a decent size Trout out of the water. Here we stayed on the orbital trail around the Reservoir, as the water's edge footpath was under water.  We headed into Graftham, for our lunch stop at the Trout Inn and Village Shop.  Both facilities were very welcoming to walkers with good seating area outside. Just as we were packing our things together, we did experience slight mizzle, but within moments the blistery wind blow it over. We continued down, Brampton Road, which is a single carriageway with passing places, stopping off the read about the Moated Compound on our right as we passed. Dotted along the road were pockets of wild primroses, showing that spring is here and hopefully better weather to come. This route was 6 miles which can be lengthen if required to 9 miles, if ground is firm and the woods are dry.

Ten of us started from near St Peters Church in Aldwincle on a bright Saturday morning. Taking Nene Way we followed the waymarked path initially through fields which gave us lovely views of the River Nene. Soon we crossed a planked bridge and then we walked uphill through a wooded area. On emerging from the woods we walked into Wadenhoe passing the village church St Michael and All Angels perched on a hill to the left. Just before we reached Wadenhoe the path was very slippery but the walkers took their time and no one fell into the mud. We walked on uphill through the village passing the The George pub on the right. At the T junction we turned right into Mill Lane and passed Wadenhoe House. We dropped down to the river and the weir. We then crossed the white bridge by Mill House and followed the path across a meadow to a high bridge over the navigable part of the river. By now dark clouds had appeared. But the rain held off as we walked uphill to emerge near a farmyard and onto the Achurch church. We continued on following the footpath to the Thorpe Waterville road. Here we turned right and walked through the hamlet of Achurch and on to Thorpe Waterville – Here we turned right again and walked back to Aldwincle. Fortunately it didn’t rain and we were able to finish the walk without getting wet. A lovely walk and highly recommended.

On a gloomy but dry day eleven of us set off from the village of Castle Ashby expecting a very wet and soggy walk following the amount of rainfall over the previous 2 or 3 days. We set off across the pasture field near the Castle Ashby house to where the road crosses the drive to the house. Here we admired the drive and the house. We then made our way on the road to the small hamlet of Chadstone. From here we dropped down to a brook taking in the misty but lovely views over the countryside. Crossing over a brook we then had a steady climb up to the village of Denton and the lovely village green. From here, after stopping for a break, we made our way past Manor Farm which had lambing in full swing. We soon left the village and made our way to another brook which we walked along to the Paradise Ponds at Chadstone. These used to be fish ponds managed by what was a monastery back in the medieval period. Walking past the ponds we made our way uphill back through Chadstone to the Castle Ashby road. Turning left we walked back into Castle Ashby. We all agreed that it had been a remarkably mud free walk and that it was well worth doing.

On a cold frosty morning 10 of us made our way to the village of Byfield which is situated in the folds of the northern edge of the Cotswolds, in the south-western corner of Northamptonshire, some four miles east of the intersection with the boundaries of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. On the journey we drove through some low mist and fog but on arrival the mist cleared, the sun came out and melted the frost away. Parking near the Village Hall and the Playing Field we made our way out of the village passing over 3 very high stiles which had us thinking this was going to be an interesting challenge if they were all this high. We were soon distracted by passing through a farm which was a graveyard for old cars, tractors and other vehicles. Passing through the farm we made our way to a road called The Twistle which means a boundary stream. Turning left we passed over the stream and then climbed up hill to the A361 road. Crossing over we then continued the climb on a farm access road to the the top of Farndon Hill a height of nearly 600ft. This gave us magnificent views over the countryside and set the standard for the views on the walk. Soon the farm access road turned into a bridleway which was remarkably free of mud when taking into account the deluge of rain we had experienced in the week before the walk. The bridleway now dropped downhill to the hamlet of West Farndon which we passed through crossing over the infant River Cherwell and then by the Mill House. Climbing again we made our way across several pasture fields to the Woodford Halse Nature Reserve where we stopped for coffee. The nature reserve is part of the old Great Central Railway line which has been designated as the nature reserve. Rather than take the risk of walking through the old railway cutting and getting bogged down we took the easier route on the reserve access road. However the relief from the mud was short lived as we had to take a bridleway that was churned up by horses. This led to ¾ mile of mud hopping until we got some relief when we met a minor road. However this was relief was only temporary as on turning left we then climbed Woodford Hill to Cherry Tree Farm which is again over 600ft. From the farm we walked along a ridge with more magnificent views. However after ½ mile we had to drop down then up again before finally dropping down into Woodford Halse. We then made our way to the Fleur de Leys pub where we stopped for lunch and drink. After lunch we walked through the village which is in the parish of Woodford cum Membris. It includes the village of Hinton and the hamlet of West Farndon. Hinton and Woodford Halse are separated by the River Cherwell and the former course of the Great Central Main Line railway. The village was formerly served by the Great Central Railway, which provided significant local employment and included Woodford Halse railway station which opened in 1899 and closed in 1966. We continued on into Hinton and walked past the striking Woodford Halse Social Club which was the old Railway Hotel. We then walked on out of Hinton and crossed a ridge and furrow pattern of old common fields. From here we made our way back to Byfield aiming for the prominent spire of Byfield village church. There was one more sting in the tail with the highest stile of day just before the last field. However having negotiated the stile we made our way back to the cars. We all agreed that although it had been a testing day particularly in the muddy conditions the views and walk easily outweighed the inconveniences and we all had a great day.  

Twelve of us travelled to the Priory Country Park in Bedford for a relatively dry underfoot walk alongside the River Ouse and Bedford Town Centre. The weather was good for this time of the year and it kept dry with blue sky for the walk.  At first we followed the Bedford to Sandy Country Way passing the Marina on the left heading towards Bedford. We kept on the path until we came to a signpost pointing the way to Bedford Town.  On the left we passed the unusual Pyramid Oasis Swimming Pool. Here we turned right and passed over the river to the Embankment. From here we turned left and walked with the river on our left to the Castle Mound on the right. On crossing the road we walked down Newnham Road passing the Castle Mound.  We passed the Higgins Bedford Gallery and Museum on the left and the Panacea Museum on the right then turned left into Castle Road through an alleyway to the High Street. Turning left we walked to St Pauls Square and on turning right we passed through the market and the Corn Exchange into the Harpur Centre where we stopped for a break as there are seats here. After admiring the The Meeting Place sculpture we made our way back to St Pauls Square and crossed over into Merchant Place and the new bridge over the river that leads to the college. After crossing we then walked by the river following the footpath all the way along the river on the left.  This took us back to the Sandy Country Way and the Priory Country Park.

On a very damp and drizzly day six of us started the walk from the 16th Century  Willington Dovecote which is a National Trust property in the village of Willington. We turned right on leaving the car park and walked on the road to what was the Bedford to Sandy train line. Crossing over we continued on past the Poplar plantation planted by Bryant and May for their safety matches. We continued on passing paths that lead to Priory Park and Bedford. Eventually we turned right and entered a wooded area which led to a path alongside the River Great Ouse. We continued on the path until we reached the old train line again and crossed over into a space which would have been the goods yard. This area is called “the Danish Camp”, a misnomer as it was a large dock area by the river from the 11th to the 14th century. We now walked through the village of Willington and went past 16th and 17th century thatched cottages, one which has a china cat climbing the roof. We soon turned right past the medieval St Lawrence Church, re-built by the Gostwicks in about 1540 and again later in the 17th century. We now returned to the Dovecote car park having had a lovely walk despite the weather. This walk was chosen for this time of year as it is hard surface all the way.

Nine of us set off from a very busy (packed with runners undertaking a 10 mile run) Priory Country Park in Bedford and walked on the disused railway track towards Bedford town centre. Just before a bridge across the river we branched left to walk alongside the river Great Ouse for a mile passing the Kingfisher Hotel on the way. On reaching Cardington Lock we followed a path back into the country park and the sailing lake with lots of dinghy’s on the choppy water. Here we turned away from the lake and the Ouse Valley Way with a backwater on our right. Soon we arrived at the disused railway again and turned left to walk back to the café and picnic benches at the visitor centre. Here we stopped for a coffee. After our coffee we set off alongside the lake and walked to the marina. Following the ancient Priory wall we walked back to the river. Here we turned right and followed our footsteps for a short time to a bridge over the river. Crossing the river we walked through a very wet field to a hard path that led us through Mill Meadows into Bedford. We walked on the path into the centre of Bedford where we stopped for our lunch by the new bridge linking the college to the town centre. After lunch we crossed over the bridge and turned right to walk along the Embankment back towards the country park. On reaching a bridge over the river we crossed over and walked past the Archimedes screw and the Longhome Café back to the disused railway line which we followed back to the country park. We all agreed it had been a lovely varied walk on a lovely bright and unseasonal warm winter’s day.